Planting a Yew maze - single or double rows? - your views

simon10 · Hazel Tree Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

Hello Friends

I would be grateful if you could help. Next spring I will be creating a yew (taxus) maze (50x 50 metres). The yews will grow to 7ft tall, with a width of 60cm or 90cm (depending on the outcome of the answered question). The path between each will be 100-150cm I am presently preparing the ground over the next six months. The question I have is: Should it be 'single' or 'double' hedge row planting?

michael brenock · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:14 am Post subject:

a single line should suffice and by proper training and trimming they should thicken out to fill the space. a double row would fill the space faster but the root competition would be too great to get even growth after a number of years.
michael brenock Horticultural advisor (retired)

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:44 am Post subject:

Taxus baccata (yew) spaced at 60cm (2 ft) creates an evergreen hedge up to 40ft tall at a slow growth rate.

From here........ Hedging plants in Ireland (size, spacing, flowers and fruit)
You have the option also of planting them closer at 3 per metre, but a single row as Micheal mentioned is best.

simon10 · Hazel Tree Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

Dear Michael & James

Thank you for your excellent advice

It will greatly help me with my planning

Kind regards

Simon

Sean Ph'lib · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:45 pm Post subject:

Simon, it's a great idea, but why Yew? It's pretty slow.... you could have your maze much quicker with something like Griselinia! (And cheaper)

michael brenock · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:04 pm Post subject:

i did not comment on the type of hedge you were using in my previous response but i would be reluctant to recommend griselinia on account of its liability for root diseases Phythopthora ans armilaria. Why not try Viburnum tinus or beech (Fagus) or berberis darwinii or Olearia macrodonta.
Yew berries are poisonous.
michael brenock horticultural advisor(retired)

simon10 · Hazel Tree Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks Michael

The house was built in the mid-1600 and has formal gardens. I want to create a 'long term' maze of yew to compliment the house (so even if I don't see it fully finished, hopefully other generations will). I did think think about beech, but decided to pleach them instead. Although, reasonable well drained, beechs are not the biggest fans of the wet and our summers and winters haven't exactly been dry! (and I not the biggest fan of hornbeam as an alternative).

As always, Thank you for your excellent advice.

Simon

Sive · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:14 am Post subject:

It sounds like a wonderful project, Simon. I wish you every success with it.